Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) goes to Washington and meets her political idol and romantic crush, Joe Biden, on this week’s “Parks and Recreation,” Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9. The scenes with Biden were shot in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to White House, last July, under much secrecy, at the same time as the cameos by Senators Olympia Snowe, Barbara Boxer and John McCain that ran in the season premiere episode.

In “Leslie vs. April,” Ben (Adam Scott) surprises his new fiance Leslie with a meeting with her hero, Biden.

“Vice-President Biden is both Leslie’s political hero and her number-one celebrity crush, so meeting him is obviously a huge moment for her,” said Mike Schur, executive producer of “Parks and Recreation.” “We looked at a number of actors to OK the role of ‘Vice-President Joe Biden,’ and ultimately, Joe Biden himself gave the best audition.”

“Meeting Vice President Biden was a thrill for me and for Leslie,” said Poehler. “He was a good sport and a great improviser. The Vice President maintained his composure while I harassed him and invaded his personal space. The nation of ‘Parks and Rec’ will be forever grateful.”

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.